Russia still perceives the U.S. move as a threat to its own security, Russian General Yevgeni Buzhinski said in Lidovy dum, headquarters of the Czech opposition Social Democrats (CSSD), in Prague on Tuesday.

Buzhinski, who is in charge of negotiations on the issue with the United States, said his country still remains doubtful about the alleged danger which has been used to justify the project.

The United States says the anti-missile system, designed to target threats from countries like Iran, could not possibly pose any danger to Russia considering its nuclear arsenal.

Meanwhile, the U.S. talks with Poland about the anti-missile base have stalled with Warsaw demanding in return billions of U.S. dollars for the modernization of its army.

On her trip to Prague, Rice told journalists that she did not know when the talks with Poland could be closed. She conceded that a long way is yet to be covered, responding to a journalist saying that the anti-missile defense system is still in the stage of development.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)